[CCMC 13232-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated products, when used as an exterior wall cladding designed to be a weather barrier and to provide thermal insulation in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, comply with the following codes:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

National Building Code of Canada 2020

The above opinion(s) is/are based on the evaluation by the CCMC of technical evidence provided by the evaluation holder, and is bound by the stated conditions and limitations. For the benefit of the user, a summary of the technical information that forms the basis of this evaluation has been included.

Product names

• Stef Green
• Stef Green Plus
• Stef Impermea
• Stef Premium Drainscreen
• Stef Premium II

Product description

The products are non-loadbearing exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) that can be assembled in panels under factory-controlled conditions or field-applied. The systems are composed of the following key components:

• a water-resistive barrier (WRB);
• an adhesive or mechanical fastener attachment;
• an insulation board; and
• a coating system (lamina)

Note: The lamina refers to all coats (base and finish) that are applied to the outer face of the insulation board together with the glassfibre mesh reinforcement.

The following describes the different components of the systems:

Substrate

For applications falling under the scope of this Report, the substrate can be brick, masonry, monolithic concrete walls, and/or cementitious panels, glass-mat-surfaced gypsum boards, plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) over wood or steel framing. Gaps between the sheathing boards of framed walls must not exceed 3.2 mm.

Water-resistive barrier (WRB)

Note: The WRB is a coating or self-adhered modified bituminous membrane that is installed to provide, along with other built-in features, the second line of defense against water infiltration reaching the structure. The WRB must be applied in accordance with the products’ installation manuals.

In systems with a WRB consisting of a coating, the continuity of the second plane of protection across joints and junctions at openings, penetrations and expansion joints must be maintained through the use of accessories such as self-adhered membranes, tapes, etc., as specified by the manufacturer, prior to the installation of these systems. Furthermore, in order to provide the intended level of protection against water infiltration, the coating (WRB) must be applied in two coats with sufficient time between applications to allow the first coat to cure before the second coat is applied.

Note: In systems with a WRB consisting of a single layer of a self-adhered modified bituminous membrane that is installed all over the substrate and around penetrations and openings, the insulation boards must be attached via mechanical fasteners to the studs or to the substrate that would have been designed to support the cladding.

Coatings (WRB)

• “Stef Barrier Plus”—a polymer-based, fibre-reinforced, wet paste coating supplied in 23-kg pails and mixed on site with Type 10 Portland cement (1:1 by weight). It is applied in a continuous layer over the substrate and wrapped around the framing and penetrations to achieve a minimum wet thickness of 3.2 mm.
• “Stef-Tek”—a factory-blended, ready-to-use, polymer-based (100% synthetic) coating supplied in 20-kg pails. It is applied in a continuous layer over the substrate using a trowel or a roller to achieve a minimum wet thickness of 1.5 mm.

All gaps and joints between sheathing boards of wood-/steel-framed walls are sealed with a joint tape consisting of a 150 g/m² “Stef Fiberglass Mesh” prior to the application of “Stef Barrier Plus” or “Stef-Tek” WRB. Openings and penetrations in wood-/steel-framed walls are treated with a self-adhered modified bituminous membrane prior to the installation of the EIFS.

Self-adhered modified bituminous membrane (WRB)

The WRB is a self-adhered modified bituminous sheet membrane, “SOPRASEAL STICK 1100 T” or equivalent, with a minimum thickness of 1.0 mm, meeting the waterproof characteristics of CGSB 37-GP-56M, “Membrane, Modified, Bituminous, Prefabricated, and Reinforced for Roofing.” The membrane consists of a styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubberized asphalt compound, which is integrally laminated to a woven polyethylene film on one side and has a silicone-treated release backing on the reverse side. The membrane is available in rolls that are 23 m long × 910 mm wide. Equivalent products may differ in length and width.

Mechanical fasteners

• “Stef Mechanical Fasteners”—corrosion-resistant anchoring screwsthat incorporate low-profile, high-density polyethylene washers (Wind-Lock/Wind-Devil 2) to secure the insulation. The spacing and frequency of the fasteners will vary depending on the type of substrate, wind load to be resisted, stud locations, and the thickness of the insulation board. The outside face of the low-profile plastic washer should always be flush with the outside face of the expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation board.

Note: Mechanical fasteners are intended to be used in conjunction with the products when they have a self-adhered modified bituminous membrane as the WRB. Fastening of the insulation boards to the substrate should precede the application of the reinforcing mesh.

Adhesives

• “Stef-Tek” —see the description in “Coating (WRB)” above. When used as an adhesive in the “Stef Impermea” system, “Stef-Tek” is applied with a 9.5-mm, stainless steel, notched trowel, held at a 30° angle, and rendered in such a way as to align the adhesive in vertical ribbons.
• “Stef Prep Coat”—a polymer-based adhesive supplied in 23.5-kg pails (18.9-L). The adhesive is mixed on site with Type 10 Portland cement (1:1 by weight). Workability may be adjusted by the addition of a maximum of 1 cup of clean, potable water. “Stef Prep Coat” is applied in a continuous layer over the “Stef Flat Insulation Board” and/or the “Stef GD Drainage Board” using a stainless steel, Ushaped, notched trowel and rendered in such a way as to align the adhesive in vertical ribbons. The spacing between the ribbons must be 32 mm and the size of the notches must be 9 mm wide × 10 mm deep.

 Note: Adhesives are used for bonding the insulation to the substrate coated with the WRB. They are, in general, available in the following forms: a dry powder mix requiring the addition of water and/or cement on site, or a wet paste that does not require any additives. Certain adhesives are also used as WRBs, such as “Stef-Tek.” Consequently, the description of “Stef-Tek” as an adhesive has been placed in the Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB) section.

Insulation

• “Stef Flat Insulation Board” and “Stef GD Drainage Board”—Type 1 or Type 2 EPS foam insulation boards made from 100% virgin materials and manufactured and packaged by Les Enduits STEF Inc.-approved and -licensed manufacturers/molders. The insulation boards are aged in ambient air for a minimum of five weeks or kiln-dried. The insulation boards are attached to the studs or to a substrate designed to support the cladding using mechanical fasteners.
• “Stef Flat Insulation Board”—a typical flat EPS board.
• “Stef GD Drainage Board”—a geometrically defined drainage EPS board with a series of vertical grooves that act as drainage pathways and are 10 mm deep, 32 mm wide, and 38 mm on centre (o.c.) (see Figure 2).

The two polystyrene insulation boards must conform to the following:

1. CAN/ULC-S701-11, “Thermal Insulation, Polystyrene, Boards and Pipe Covering,” Type 1 or Type 2,
2. minimum board thickness: 25 mm when using “Stef Flat Insulation Board,”
3. minimum board thickness: 38 mm when using “Stef GD Drainage Board,”
4. maximum board thickness:
   1. as designed, when used in combustible construction, and
   2. 100 mm when used in non-combustible construction,
5. maximum board size: 600 mm × 1 219 mm,
6. average density: 16 kg/m³ for Type 1 and 24 kg/m³ for Type 2, and
7. flame-spread rating: 25–500, per CAN/ULC-S102.2-10, “Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Flooring, Floor Coverings, and Miscellaneous Materials and Assemblies.”

Synthetic coating system (lamina)

The lamina consists of the reinforcing mesh, the base coat, a primer and the finish coat, which are applied to the outer face of the insulation board.

Base coat

• “Stef Base Coat”—a polymer-based, wet paste coating supplied in 25-kg (18.9-L) pails and mixed on site with Type 10 Portland cement (3:1 by weight). Workability may be adjusted by the addition of clean, potable water as specified by the manufacturer.

The coating is applied with a stainless steel trowel to the entire surface of the insulation to achieve a minimum uniform thickness of 1.6 mm. The base coat needs to be thicker when more than one layer of reinforcing mesh is incorporated into the lamina. In compliance with CAN/ULC-S114-05, “Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials,” “Stef Base Coat” is a non-combustible material.

• “Stef Prep Coat”—applied with a stainless steel trowel in a continuous layer to the entire surface of the “Stef Flat Insulation Board” and/or the “Stef Drainage Board” to achieve a minimum uniform dry thickness of 1.6 mm using a stainless steel trowel. The base coat thickness must be thicker when more than one layer of reinforcing mesh is incorporated into the lamina.

Reinforcing mesh

• “Stef Fiberglass Mesh”—an alkali-resistant, glass-fibre reinforcing fabric that has a minimum nominal weight of 150 g/m² and is manufactured by Saint-Gobain ADFORS and Technical Textiles S.R.O. Saint-Gobain ADFORS’ mesh comes in a white colour while Technical Textiles S.R.O.’s mesh is orange in colour. Both types of mesh are available in rolls that are 965 mm wide × 45.7 m long.

The reinforcing mesh is available in six different grades:

1. “Stef Standard Mesh” has a minimum nominal weight of 150 g/m² ,
2. “Stef Standard Plus Mesh” has a minimum nominal weight of 156 g/m² ,
3. “Stef Intermediate Mesh” has a minimum nominal weight of 370 g/m² ,
4. “Stef High Impact Mesh” has a minimum nominal weight of 523 g/m² ,
5. “Stef Extreme Impact Mesh” has a minimum nominal weight of 712 g/m² , and
6. “Stef Detail Mesh” has a minimum nominal weight of 150 g/m² and is available in 240-mm-wide rolls. It is used to render surface articulations and terminations.

Note: Higher-grade meshes are intended to be used in areas requiring high-impact resistance.

Primer

• “Stef Roll-On”—a water-based, pigmented acrylic primer that provides a uniformly absorbent surface for the “Stef Finish” finish coat. The primer is available in 24-kg ready-mix pails. It is applied using a roller or brush, or sprayed uniformly over the base coats. Note that primer is required for spray- or roller-applied finishes.

Finish coat

• “Stef Finish”—a ready-mix polymer-based finish coat supplied in 18.9-L pails. It is factory-tinted to the desired colour. The texture of the finish coat is governed by the aggregate size, as well as the trowel motion used to render the wall surface. The different textures offered and their respective coating thickness are “coarse” (2.0 mm), “medium” (1.5 mm) and “fine” (0.75 mm).
• “Stef Architectural Coat”—a ready-mix polymer-based finish coat supplied in 18.9-L pails. It is factory-tinted to the desired colour. The texture of the finish coat is governed by the aggregate size, as well as the trowel motion used to render the wall surface. The different textures offered and their respective coating thicknesses are:
  • “Acrylico Fino” (0.75 mm),
  • “Brume” (0.6 mm),
  • “Canyon Fine” (1.0 mm),
  • “Canyon” (1.5 mm),
  • “Florentia” (1.0–1.5 mm),
  • “Granex” (1.5 mm),
  • “Marble Coat” (1.0 mm–1.5 mm),
  • “Rustex” (1.5 mm),
  • “Rustic” (1.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm),
  • “Rustico” (1.0 mm),
  • “Sandblast” (1.0 mm), and
  • “Sandtex” (1.0 mm).

Manufacturing plant

This evaluation is valid only for products produced at the following plant:

Product evaluated by the CCMC Indicates that the product from this manufacturing facility has been evaluated by the CCMC

The CCMC’s compliance opinion is bound by this product being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below.

• The product is intended for use as an exterior wall cladding on buildings falling under the scope of Parts 5 and 9 of the NBC 2015.
• The products are intended for use as an exterior cladding applied over exterior walls of buildings falling within the scope of the National Building Code (NBC) of Canada 2015.
• “Stef Premium II, Stef Premium Drainscreen, Stef Impermea” are intended for use as EIFS applied directly to vertical walls of brick, masonry, monolithic concrete walls, and/or cementitious, glass-mat-surfaced gypsum, plywood or OSB sheathing boards installed over wood or steel framing.
• “Stef Green, Stef Green Plus” are intended for use as EIFS applied directly to vertical walls of brick, masonry, monolithic concrete walls, and/or cementitious, glass-mat-surfaced gypsum sheathing boards installed over wood or steel framing.
• Gaps between the sheathing boards of framed walls must not exceed 3.2 mm.
• The products are acceptable for use on vertical walls. The systems are not acceptable for use on horizontal surfaces.
• When the systems are part of a prefabricated panel system that incorporates structural components, the prefabricated panel system must be designed and plant-inspected by a professional engineer or architect in accordance with the manufacturer’s criteria and the requirements of the NBC 2015.
• Use of the products with the mechanical fasteners and/or indicated in Table 1 is limited to geographical areas where the wind design value is Q₅₀ < 1.00 kPa.
• The products are not suitable for use as a structural sheathing for bracing purposes.
• The products are not intended for use as a below-grade insulation and should terminate at least 200 mm above grade level.
• When used in coastal areas for residential occupancies for buildings falling under the scope of Part 9, “Housing and Small Buildings,” of Division B of the NBC 2015, the products must be:
  • installed in conjunction with a WRB,
  • installed in a two-coat application and a capillary break conforming to Clause 9.27.2.2.(1)(e), Minimum Protection from Precipitation Ingress, of Division B of the NBC 2015. Coastal areas are defined in Sentence 9.27.2.2.(5) of Division B of the NBC 2015 as areas where:
    • the number of degree-days is less than 3 400 and the moisture index is greater than 0.90, or
    • the number of degree-days is 3 400 or more, and the moisture index is greater than 1.0.
• When used in non-coastal areas, for residential occupancies that fall under the scope of Part 9 of Division B of the NBC 2015, the products must be installed in accordance with Article 9.27.13.1, Application”, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• WRBs in the form of coatings must be applied in two coats.
• WRBs that are self-adhered, modified bituminous membranes must meet the waterproof characteristics of CGSB 37-GP-56M.
• The continuity of the second plane of protection across joints and junctions at openings, penetrations and expansion joints must be maintained through accessories, such as self-adhering membranes, tapes, etc., as specified by the manufacturer, prior to the installation of these systems.
• When used on existing walls of sprinklered buildings or existing walls of the buildings with not more than 3 storeys, the possibility of moisture accumulation within the wall construction is mainly a function of 1) the ability of the wall assembly to deflect bulk water entry, and 2) the physical properties of the cladding being installed and its impact on the thermal, air leakage and vapour diffusion characteristics of the existing wall. The potential for moisture accumulation as a result of the addition of materials is very specific to the existing wall construction. Therefore, the installation must be in accordance with Appendix Note A-5.1.2.1(1), Application (Environmental Separation), of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• The design of the inboard/outboard insulation of the products must be in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.25., Heat Transfer, Air Leakage and Condensation Control, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• When the systems are used on existing walls, the addition of thermal insulation onto existing exterior walls will increase the thermal efficiency and airtightness of the wall. Deficiencies in flashing and other elements in the building assembly, including mechanical systems, may result in detrimental effects of moisture accumulation as highlighted in Appendix Note A-9.25.2.4.(3), Loose-Fill Insulation in Existing Wood-Frame Walls, of Division B of the NBC 2015. As a result, once the EIFS (the product evaluated in this report) is installed, the existing exterior walls must meet the requirements of the NBC 2015 for heat transfer, air leakage and condensation control.
• The products can provide additional thermal insulation to the wall assembly with no detrimental effects if properly installed with knowledge of the existing wall configuration and performance.
• The products alone may not provide the full amount of the required wall insulation. The thermal resistance of the wall system must conform to the energy requirements of the applicable building code. The wall system may have to conform to the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2015 at minimum to meet Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) technical requirements.
• The polystyrene thermal insulation must be in conformance with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S701-11.
• The polystyrene thermal insulation boards must be cut from moulded blocks manufactured using 100% virgin raw materials.
• The polystyrene thermal insulation boards must be in conformance with the dimensional tolerances specified in Section B2.3 of CAN/ULC-S701.1-17, formerly CAN/ULC-S701.
• The polystyrene thermal insulation blocks, before cutting into insulation boards that would be used in EIFS applications, must be aged in conformance with Section B2.2 of CAN/ULC-S701.1-17, formerly CAN/ULC-S701.
• The polystyrene thermal insulation must have a flame-spread rating of not more than 500 when tested in accordance with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S102.2-10, “Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Flooring, Floor Coverings, and Miscellaneous Materials and Assemblies.”
• Where allowed by the NBC through conformance to Article 3.1.5.5. of Division B of the NBC 2015, “Stef Premium II/Stef Premium Drainscreen,” as described in Table 1 and the “Fire Performance” section of this Report, is acceptable for use in buildings required to be of non-combustible construction that are not more than three storeys in height, if not sprinklered, and to greater than three storeys in height, if sprinklered throughout provided the interior surfaces of the wall assembly are protected by a thermal barrier conforming to Sentence 3.1.5.12.(3), Combustible Interior Finishes, of Division B of the NBC 2015. For a detailed description of the compliance of the systems to the requirements of Article 3.1.5.5. of Division B of the NBC 2015, please refer to Quality Auditing Institute Listing Information for “Premium II” and “Premium Drainscreen,” Listing Number B1045-1, dated April 30, 2012.
• Where allowed by the Code through conformance to Clause 3.2.3.8.(1)(b) of Division B of the NBC 2015, “Stef Premium II/Stef Premium Drainscreen,” as described in Table 1 and Fire Performance of this Report are acceptable for use in the exposed face of buildings required to be of non-combustible construction, provided the interior surfaces of the wall assembly are protected by a thermal barrier conforming to Sentence 3.1.5.12.(3) of Division B of the NBC 2015. For a detailed description of the compliance of the systems to the requirements of Clause 3.2.3.8.(1)(b) of Division B of the NBC 2015, please refer to Quality Auditing Institute Listing Information for “Premium II” and “Premium Drainscreen,” Listing Number B1045-1, dated April 30, 2012.
• When used in non-combustible construction, the polystyrene insulation must be protected from the inside of the building in accordance with the applicable sentences of Article 3.1.5.15., Foamed Plastic Insulation of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• When used in combustible construction, the polystyrene insulation must be protected from the inside of the building in accordance with Clauses 3.1.4.2.(1)(c), Protection of Foamed Plastics, and 9.10.17.10.(1)(c), Protection of Foamed Plastics, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• The systems should be kept at least 50 mm, or as required in building regulations and safety codes, from heat-emitting devices, such as recessed light fixtures and chimneys.
• The requirements of the NBC 2015 regarding fire stops must be implemented.
• Expansion joints must be carried through the cladding. Expansion joints are required to accommodate expansion and contraction of building materials due to thermal changes, moisture, wind, gravity, vibration and seismic activity. Expansion joints must be used in the following situations:
  • at joints that occur in the substrate,
  • at any abutment of the system with other materials,
  • where the substrate changes,
  • where significant structural movement occurs,
  • where deflections in excess of L/240 are expected, and
  • at the floor line in wood-frame construction (may not be required when using engineered wood beams).
• Closed-cell backer rods should be used at expansion joints so that the low-modulus sealant may be installed as per the sealant manufacturer’s instructions.
• The products must be installed according to Les Enduits STEF’s Installation Guides by installers authorized by the manufacturer.
• Wet materials must be applied at temperatures above 4°C and maintained above 4°C for a minimum of 24 hours. The substrate must be maintained above 4°C for a minimum of 24 hours. Cool and humid climatic conditions may extend drying time beyond 24 hours. Temporary protection and heat must be provided during colder conditions. Materials must be stored at temperatures between 4°C and 40°C. Previously frozen materials must not be used.
• Wet, finished surfaces must be protected from rain and wind-driven moisture until the materials have set and hardened.
• The products must be installed with suitable flashing to drain any incidental water from the drainage cavity to the exterior and to protect the exposed top edge of the cladding. Cap flashing must be installed immediately after completion of the finish coat or temporary protection must be provided.
• Glass-mat gypsum sheathing must be in compliance with the requirements of ASTM C 1177/C 1177M-13, “Glass Mat Gypsum Substrate for Use as Sheathing,” or must have been evaluated by CCMC.
• Specification of surface sealers must be provided by the manufacturer.
• OSB and/or plywood sheathing boards used in conjunction with the products must comply with the requirements of CSA O86-14, “Engineering Design in Wood.” In addition, the OSB must comply with CSA O325-07 (R2012), “Construction Sheathing,” while plywood must comply with CSA O121-08, “Douglas Fir Plywood,” CSA O151-09, “Canadian Softwood Plywood,” or CSA O153-13, “Poplar Plywood.”
• The OSB and/or plywood sheathing boards must have a minimum thickness of 11.1 mm and 12.7 mm, respectively. The boards must have their principal strength-direction across the studs, must be continuously supported by framing, and must be gapped at least 2.0 mm and not more than 3.0 mm.
• OSB and/or plywood sheathing boards used in conjunction with the products must be fastened to the framing in conformance with Article 9.23.3.5., Fasteners for Sheathing or Subflooring, of Division B of the NBC 2015.
• When the product is applied over wood, the wood (lumber and/or wood sheathing) shall have a maximum moisture content of 19% at time of application of the WRB.
• The drained air space behind the insulation board shall remain unobstructed so as to form a clear drainage cavity behind the insulation boards and it shall terminate in such a way as not to obstruct the dissipation of incidental rainwater to the exterior.
• The drainage cavity created by the use of the notched-trowel adhesive ribbons or profiles in the EPS must remain unobstructed by any other obstructions so as to form a clear drainage cavity behind the insulation boards. When using notched-trowel adhesive ribbons as the drainage mechanism, the application of the ribbons must be conducted in a way as to form clear and parallel drainage paths behind the insulation boards and to avoid the creation of any V-grooves (V-grooves refer to ribbons touching and closing the drainage path). The ribbons must be a minimum of 10.0 mm deep, 9.0 mm wide and 38 mm apart.

This evaluation is based on demonstrated conformance with the following criteria: